Code of Conduct

The CAWA Code of Conduct establishes the standards that all climbers in the State of Western Australia are required to adopt in regard to their climbing activities.

Safety

S.1

Climbers are to act only in areas of their knowledge, as accumulated by training and experience, and in a careful and diligent manner.

S.2

Climbers are to place the responsibility for the health, safety and good reputation of the climbing community before their own personal pursuits.

S.3

Climbers are to accept that personal safety is their own responsibility. If they are in any doubt as to their or their partner’s ability, experience, rock condition, weather or any other factor, climbing is not to be undertaken.

S.4

Climbers should support and encourage beginners to develop their skills, ensuring that they model safe practices in the process.

S.5

When climbing in remote areas, the appropriate authority or a responsible individual should be advised of details of the excursion and intended time of return.

S.6

Rock fall and dropped objects are significant dangers in climbing. Care should be taken to prevent these dangers and to alert any persons nearby to them. Helmets should be worn in high risk areas.

S.7

In the presence of other climbers, dogs should be controlled at crags to avoid disturbing other climbers. In particular, dogs distracting belayers is considered highly unsafe. No dogs are permitted in national parks or nature reserves.

Environment

E.1

Climbers are to show care for the natural environment surrounding crags and access paths and avoid wilful damage.

E.2

All rubbish is to be removed from climbing areas, regardless of who brought it.

E.3

Wherever toilet facilities are not provided, all toilet paper and human waste is to be buried below the surface at a distance of at least 50 metres from water and cliffs.

E.4

Climbers should consider erosion problems when deciding whether to use lower-off bolts or not.

E.5

Indiscriminate or excessive use of fixed and visually intrusive equipment is to be avoided.

E.6

Wherever safely possible, any observed acts of vandalism should be recorded and reported to the administering authority. This will likely minimise any future damage and promote cooperation with the authority.

Access

A.1

Climbers are to act with courtesy, dignity and integrity in order to foster the trust of the general community and of other climbers. A friendly and outgoing attitude is most effective in fostering good will, resolving disagreements and maintaining access.

A.2

Existing access restrictions and agreements are to be observed. Finding out about these is the responsibility of the climber. Guidebooks, administering authorities and other climbers should be consulted for information.

A.3

Approval from owners or guardians of private property is to be obtained before entering or crossing over such property. All gates should be left in their original position and any disturbance to stock or crops minimised.

A.4

Sites of cultural, artistic, geological and historical significance are to be respected according to the applicable rules.

A.5

Bolted climbs that are not published in any form are considered closed projects. Climbers are to stay off such routes unless they have evidence that the first ascent has been completed. Contravening this item will likely result in the “first theft ascent” not being listed in the guidebook.